K-12 districts once again see funds diverted to higher education

Monday

Feb 25, 2013 at 9:09 AMFeb 25, 2013 at 9:09 AM

By Matt Durr

matt.durr@hillsdale.netWALDRON — As universities and community colleges continue to receive increases in state aid, K-12 education continues to see it’s funds diminish, causing concern for local educators.“It’s a continual slam on public education. In the meantime they’re yanking School Aid Fund money to fund colleges and universities,” said Hillsdale Intermediate School District Superintendent Mike Potts.During Thursday’s HISD board meeting, Potts informed the board that Gov. Rick Snyder has once again announced a plan to divert money from the state’s School Aid Fund for the third consecutive year. The State Aid Fund has traditionally been used to fund K-12 education.This year Snyder plans on taking $200 million from the fund to give to universities and colleges, who are normally funded by the state’s General Fund and another $200 million next year. Snyder plans on using these diversions to balance the state’s budget.According to Potts, the cuts will result in school’s receiving a cut of more than $200 per student, continuing a trend of K-12 schools receiving less funding each year. In 2008-09 schools received $7,316 per student. This year that number is $6,966, a difference of $350 per student.“$350 per student is a game changer,” Potts said, adding that for $350 a student, the districts could provide netbooks or iPads for each student.Potts was adamant that when Proposal A was passed in 1993 to help fund the School Aid Fund, legislators did not intend for the funds to go to higher education. The proposal increased state taxes with the money designated for K-12 schools.“If you talk to the people who were the authors of Prop A, they would tell you that the School Aid Fund that was set up with the two percent tax increase, was meant for K-12 public education,” Potts said.However, the state’s constitution allows for the funds to be used for school districts, higher education and employee retirements.“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” Potts said.Also of note during Thursday’s meeting at Waldron Area Schools, Jackson Intermediate School District’s Richard Rendell announced that the HISD was working towards establishing a set curriculum for special education students that will help provide a better education for students with needs.Rendell is contracted by the HISD to help with special education needs and according to Potts, the curriculum should be set in the next couple months and will be presented to the board once completed.“The ability to share with the parents exactly where we’re at and where we’re heading will be adventitious for not only the students but everyone involved,” Potts said.The curriculum will be designed to work with students ages 0-26 and will adapt to the various abilities of students to learn. It will also give students in the area who leave, the ability to show their next school where they are at in the educational process.